“The Congress has passed longstanding laws making foreign nationals without legal status removable from the United States, and it is proper for DHS, like any other law enforcement organization, to faithfully execute the laws on the books,” retired Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly said in a written answer to questions by the Senate Homeland Security Committee as his confirmation hearing started Tuesday.

He also criticized the Obama administration for being soft on illegal immigration.

Kelly said he was skeptical of President Obama’s policies, including limiting the roles states and local police can play in tracking down illegal aliens, and in letting undocumented immigrants serve in the US military, which provides them an expedited path to citizenship.

He also said the border wall championed by Trump would not by itself solve the problem of illegal immigration.

“A physical barrier in and of itself won’t do the job,” Kelly said, adding that it would have to be backed up by extensive ground and air patrols.

Defense of the southwestern US border begins as far south as Peru, he said, pointing out that the United States partners with South American countries to thwart drug smuggling.
“We could have better partnerships,” Kelly said.

Introducing Kelly, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called him “an excellent choice, superbly well-qualified for the position, and a person of highest integrity.”

“There is no quit in this man,” added Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), describing Kelly as “tenacious.”